2010 Gala Sets Record

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG, Kenneth Cole, Chris Madden, Josie Natori, Martha Stewart, and Vera Wang were just a few of the VIPs in the audience of 1,300 who gathered at the Hilton New York for the FIT/Educational Foundation for the Fashion Industries annual benefit gala, honoring Macy’s Chairman, President, and CEO Terry Lundgren. Dave Price and Harry Smith from The Early Show on CBS News served as masters of ceremony.

The March event raised $4.3 million for FIT and the Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing at the University of Arizona, Lundgren’s alma mater.

FIT President Joyce F. Brown called Lundgren a valued friend of FIT and “a peerless industry and civic leader with a deep appreciation for the power of education.” Noting that FIT’s hallmark is its historic partnership with industry, Dr. Brown said Macy’s has been one of the college’s most treasured partners. “Tonight’s gala celebrates the enduring ties between FIT and Macy’s and all the industries we serve,” she said.

Lundgren called FIT “a very, very important source of talent for our company,” citing the 176 FIT graduates who now work for Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, or one of the company’s other businesses in design, merchandising, planning, buying, and more. “The training they get at FIT is incredibly appropriate,” Lundgren said.